Ashley Judd

Exhibiting both beauty and intelligence, actress Ashley Judd stepped out from the shadows of her country music star mother and sister to become one of the more sought-after female leads of the late 19...
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Actress Ashley Judd faced a last-minute wardrobe change ahead of the New York City premiere of Insurgent after reportedly refusing to wear a Dolce & Gabbana dress due to the fall-out from the designers' controversial comments about gay couples with children. Openly-gay superstar Sir Elton John has been leading a boycott of the top Italian fashion house ever since Stefano Gabbana and his creative partner Domenico Dolce shared their views on modern families and kids born via in vitro fertilisation (IVF), branding the babies "chemical offsprings" in a candid interview in Italy earlier this month (Mar15).
Fellow gay dads Ricky Martin and Glee creator Ryan Murphy have also publicly blasted Dolce & Gabbana for their comments, and celebrity mums Victoria Beckham, Madonna and Courtney Love have also offered their support.
Now, reports suggest Double Jeopardy actress Judd also took a stand against the luxury label, according to the New York Post's Page Six column, after refusing to wear a Dolce & Gabbana gown her stylists had picked out for her for the Insurgent premiere last week (ends20Mar15). She allegedly ditched the outfit at late notice and opted to wear a floral Badgley Mischka outfit instead.
A source tells the New York Post's Page Six, "The outfit had been planned for weeks.
"(Judd) pulled out (at the) last moment and changed her dress... Ashley has gay friends, works with many gay people, and decided she would not support this."
Dolce and Gabbana have since attempted to clarify their remarks, insisting, "It was never our intention to judge other people's choices."

Actress Ashley Judd has further attacked the anonymous sports fans who sent her vile, hate-filled tweets after she posted support for her beloved University of Kentucky basketball team ahead of the college finals by writing a powerful essay for news website Mic.com. Judd, who has threatened legal action against those behind the social media vitriol she received, admits she's still coming to terms with the "volume of hatred that exploded at me".
In her letter, the 46 year old writes, "I routinely cope with tweets that sexualize, objectify, insult, degrade and even physically threaten me. I have already - recently, in fact - looked into what is legally actionable in light of such abuse, and have supplied Twitter with scores of reports about the horrifying content on its platform.
"But this particular tsunami of gender-based violence and misogyny flooding my Twitter feed was overwhelming."
She adds, "What happened to me is the devastating social norm experienced by millions of girls and women on the Internet. Online harassers use the slightest excuse (or no excuse at all) to dismember our personhood... The themes embedded in this particular incident reflect the universal ways we talk about girls and women.
"When they are violated, we ask, why was she wearing that? What was she doing in that neighborhood? What time was it? Had she been drinking?"
Judd reveals social media attacks on herself and other women are particularly tough for her to take as a victim of sexual violence.
She explains, "The summer of 1984 was tough for me. I experienced two rapes by an adult and systematic molestation from another adult, who also had another man in the room watching (I now understand this was to ensure he had a witness, in order to undermine me in the event I tried to report the incident).
"I have done purgative, cathartic work on those particular acts of violence. The nature of recovering from trauma is that it can be ongoing, with deeper levels of healing and freedom coming with indefatigable persistence to keep chipping away at it."

Rapper Drake swapped the stage for the basketball court on Friday night (17Oct14) as he joined the University of Kentucky's basketball team to warm up before a big game. The Started From the Bottom hitmaker, a longtime supporter of the Kentucky Wildcats, was invited to attend the team's annual Midnight Madness event at the Rupp Arena and he thrilled students and fans by suiting up in one of the school's all-blue tracksuits to join the players on the court.
However, the hip-hop star was left nursing a bruised ego after attempting - and failing - to hit a three-point shot, but he refused to let his lack of sporting skills get him down and later beamed as he introduced his pal, team coach John Calipari, to the crowd.
Drake is no stranger to the Wildcats - he was made an honorary member of the franchise in 2012, when he was presented with a prestigious national championship ring, engraved with his nickname Drizzy, after the college men's team took home the title earlier that year.
He also turned basketball coach for an alumni game in September, 2012.
The rapper isn't the only celebrity Wildcats fan - actress Ashley Judd, who attended the school, is also a huge supporter.

Famous Scots including Annie Lennox, Alan Cumming and Kevin Mckidd have spoken out on the day of the country's crunch referendum to urge fans to vote on the country's future. Scotland goes to the polls on Thursday (18Sep14) to decide whether to break away from the United Kingdom, and a slew of high-profile stars have spoken out in a last-ditch bid to sway the votes.
Eurythmics star Lennox, who was born in Aberdeen, insists she does not have a personal preference which way the vote goes, but she has urged her fellow Scots to think carefully before casting their ballot.
In a post on her Facebook.com page, she writes, "I am 'agnostic' in this matter... Once the die is cast... It will be what it will be. As a Scot who has lived beyond the border for over two thirds of my lifetime, I have no right to vote, therefore my view is practically irrelevant. However - I would like to say this... Whichever way you cast your vote, please think long term. A pro independence vote will be absolutely irreversible... Be wise Scotia... The future is in your hands."
Grey's Anatomy star McKidd, who is backing the 'Yes' campaign, tells Britain's Daily Record newspaper, "I've always been a supporter of independence for Scotland... I don't live in Scotland so don't get a vote, but all my family are still here... Everybody is going to be relieved when Friday comes no matter what happens."
Social networking website Twitter.com has also been flooded with debate over the vote, and another 'Yes' campaigner, The Good Wife star Cumming, writes, "Scotland! Please! Dare to dream," while Icelandic singer Bjork adds, "Declare independence... Go Scotland go!!!!!!!!"
Actor/funnyman Russell Brand writes, "Scotland, be brave. Vote with your hearts. You can strike the first blow for us against Westminster," while Simon Pegg adds, "Thinking of you Scotland. Give it all you've got," before joking, "Apparently a number of impatient 'Yes' campaigners have unbuckled Scotland and are currently towing it into the North Sea."
Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling writes on Wednesday night (17Sep14), "Big day in Scotland tomorrow #indyref (sic). My head says no and my heart shouts it - but whatever happens, I hope we're all friends by Saturday."
Others stars campaigning online on Thursday included actors Ashley Judd, Luke Treadaway, and David Morrissey, filmmaker Michael Moore, rocker Tim Burgess, singer Alison Moyet and tennis ace Andy Murray.

Author Billie Letts has died at the age of 76. She passed away from pneumonia in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday (02Aug14). Shortly before her death, the writer was diagnosed with myeloid leukaemia, according to the New York Times.
The author was best known for her 1995 novel Where the Heart Is, which was turned into a film starring Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd and Stockard Channing in 2000.
She is survived by her sons - playwright/actor Tracy Letts, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his play August: Osage County, musician Shawn Letts and Dana Letts.

Actor Tom Wopat has come under fire from activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after signing up to take part in a leading circus' parade in his native Wisconsin. The former Dukes of Hazzard star has been tapped to play the grand marshal of the Big Top Parade in Baraboo on 26 July (14) to help celebrate the Ringling Bros. circus company's 130th anniversary.
However, the actor's decision to perform at the bash has angered PETA campaigners, who have long called for a crackdown on the alleged mistreatment of Ringling's circus elephants.
PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders tells WENN, "Wopat is out of touch for supporting circuses that force animals to perform through violent beatings. There's not a hot rod on the planet fast enough for Wopat to escape the fact that he's promoting the cruelest show on Earth."
Wopat has yet to respond to the pressure from PETA.
PETA's longrunning campaign against the Ringling Bros. has previously won the support of celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Olivia Munn, Jada Pinkett Smith and Ashley Judd.

"When The Good Wife came to me, it came in such a backhanded compliment: 'Ashley Judd was offered this script, but she's turning it down. Now, I'm going to give it to you, but first, we're going to Helen Hunt. And if Helen Hunt passes, it's all yours.' I wanted to hate it, because you know, 'F**k you! You didn't want me to begin with...' But my agent said a great thing: 'No one will know when they watch this show that Helen Hunt was offered it before you.'" Julianna Margulies on coming to terms with the fact she wasn't the first choice to play Alicia Florrick in hit TV drama The Good Wife.

Jessica Chastain is set to become the latest actress to portray movie icon Marilyn Monroe on the big screen after reportedly landing the lead in director Andrew Dominik's new drama Blonde. The Zero Dark Thirty star will replace Naomi Watts in the project, an adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' novel of the same name, according to TheWrap.com.
The book, which landed the author Pulitzer Prize consideration when it was released in 2001, conjures up Monroe's spirit and attempts to tell the actress' story from the point of view of Norma Jeane Baker - the Some Like it Hot star's real name. If the casting news is true, Chastain will join the likes of Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn), Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd (Norma Jean &amp; Marilyn) and Susan Griffiths (Marilyn &amp; Me), who have also portrayed Monroe, while Australian actress Poppy Montgomery played the screen icon in a TV mini-series adaptation of Blonde in 2001.

Anthony Mackie and Ashley Judd have helped to raise $50,000 (£31,250) to fund a new school recycling initiative. The stars created limited edition covers for Kiehl's facial scrub products in a bid to finance 65,000 recycling bin labels for schools across the U.S. in partnership with the Recycling Across America organisation.
He tells U.S. late night host Arsenio Hall, "(The labels are so) the next time you go up to a (recycling) bin you won't have to ask the question of, 'Do I put paper in here? Can I put the plastic with the aluminium?'"

"He'll always be my loved one. Even before our wedding, we agreed not to tell people about our relationship, but to show them instead. What we're showing them now is we're human, we're family, and this is what family looks like." Ashley Judd on her relationship with estranged husband Dario Franchitti. The couple announced a split in January, 2013 after 11 years of marriage.

Played a woman mistakenly sent to prison for murdering her husband in "Double Jeopardy"

Played lead role in romantic comedy "Someone Like You"

Appeared in "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" music video, performed by Jerry Garcia

Co-starred with Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman in family drama "Dolphin Tale"

Cast in first TV movie role in "Till Death Us Do Part" (NBC)

Appeared in Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers"; part was cut as MPAA deemed scene too disturbing and violent; Stone restored it for 1996 Director's Cut release

Played a serial killer in "Eye of the Beholder"

Played the frustrated wife of a southern lawyer in "A Time to Kill"

Portrayed title character and narrator of "Ruby in Paradise"

Portrayed a kidnap victim who manages to escape from her captor in thriller "Kiss the Girls"; film also starred Morgan Freeman

Moved frequently between California, Kentucky, and Tennessee

Appeared in recurring role as Reed, the daughter of Swoosie Kurtz on NBC drama "Sisters"; left after three seasons to pursue film career

Starred with Samual L. Jackson and Andy Garcia in thriller "Twister"

Co-starred with Kevin Kline in "De-lovely," a film about legendary American composer Cole Porter

Re-teamed with Morgan Freeman for "High Crimes"

Published memoir All That Is Bitter & Sweet

Co-starred with Dwayne Johnson in "Tooth Fairy"

Summary

Exhibiting both beauty and intelligence, actress Ashley Judd stepped out from the shadows of her country music star mother and sister to become one of the more sought-after female leads of the late 1990s. After a pair of early performances on the science fiction franchise "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (syndicated, 1987-1994), she landed her breakthrough role in the inspirational drama "Ruby in Paradise" (1993). Soon after, Judd played Val Kilmer's put-upon wife in the crime thriller "Heat" (1995), and essayed a pre-fame Marilyn Monroe in "Norma Jean & Marilyn" (HBO, 1996). However, it was as a kidnap victim who eludes her psychotic captor in "Kiss the Girls"(1997) that the actress' Hollywood stock rose dramatically. Although future projects met with varying degrees of success, Judd still managed to deliver strong performances as complex women in films like the adaptation of the best-selling novel "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" (2002), and the creepy-crawly horror feature "Bug" (2006). After seeking treatment for her life-long issues of depression and loneliness, Judd published her cathartic memoir <i>All That is Bitter & Sweet</i> in 2011, a less-than glamorous portrait of her famous family. While not maintaining the A-list profile of film contemporaries like Sandra Bullock, Judd continued to seek out roles that were both challenging and accessible, balanced by her personal life far from the lights of Hollywood.

Education

Judd described acting as "guts coming from my toenails." – from The New York Times, Oct. 3, 1993

"I'm very similar to my mother and sister, but in ways that may not be readily apparent." – Judd to Vanity Fair magazine, April 1996

"I know when I'm working on a performance, I'll go sideways for a while before I go straight up. If I'm trying something in a take and it's not working for me, I will absolutely exhaust the idea in myself before a change will occur to me. And I almost need to do that. It's the way my neurons work." – Judd quoted in Interview magazine, September 1998

"I have raised two very independent, strong-willed women. Wynonna and I happen to agree on issues in the entertainment industry regarding nudity, sex and violence. Ashley is much more liberal." – mother, Naomi Judd in USA Today, Aug. 16, 1999

"Judd's strengths come across particularly well onscreen. She is extremely beautiful and can handle physical roles. She has a unisex quality." – Philip Kaufman who directed Ashley Judd in "Twister" to The San Francisco Chronicle, March 2, 2004

"When it came down to it I was fairly nervous. I was too dumb to panic. You know, we actors have fairly healthy egos: 'Oh sure, I can do that, no problem. Gain 30 lbs., sing a song, ride a horse, jump off a building, no worries.'" – Judd, on singing in her new movie, "De-Lovely" to People magazine, July 6, 2004

As the goodwill ambassador for YouthAIDS, Judd participated in the making of the 2006 documentary "Confronting the Pandemic" and the 2007 documentary "India's Hidden Plague."

"Someone recently told me that there are three kinds of business; God's business, other people's business, and my own business. When I get myself in trouble is when I get involved in the first two. I think that living life on life's terms is a really important slogan for me at the moment." – Judd to Interview magazine, January 2007

Judd revealed in her 2011 memoir All That Is Bitter & Sweet that she was neglected, and emotionally and sexually abused as a child.